Senior Expert in Textile Industry (Researcher or Lecturer) - Consultancy Roster

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About Office/Institute

UNU-FLORES is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-FLORES develops strategies to resolve pressing issues in the sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources such as water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources that are of concern to the United Nations and its Member States – particularly in developing and emerging economies. Based in Dresden and Weißwasser, Germany, the Institute engages in research and innovation development, education and capacity development as well as outreach, advocacy and impact to advance the Resource Nexus. For more information, please visit https://flores.unu.edu/.

Textile Expert Roster at UNU-FLORES

UNU-FLORES is seeking highly motivated and committed local and international experts with relevant experience in the Resource Nexus field in the textile industry context. We invite experts who wish to support the research, advocacy, capacity, and training development work for UNU-FLORES to apply to our Roster.

Successful candidates will work within the "Chair for Sustainability and Textile Innovation – Phase 2" project, which focuses on the ecological, economic, and social assessment of sustainability in the context of the textile and garment industry in Bangladesh, a significant industry of the country but also poses numerous social and environmental challenges.

The key objectives of the project are to:

• Improve the qualifications of specialists and executive personnel in the areas of social responsibility, environmental protection, and innovation in the textile and clothing industry; and
• Contribute to improving the working conditions of workers in Bangladesh's production plants and to improving sustainable development of the textile sector.

The objective of this consultancy is to either:

• Contribute to knowledge enhancement, quality of research and science-based teaching material by delivering comprehensive research and a peer-reviewed scientific article on the agreed relevant topic that would contribute to the innovation and/or sustainable transformation in the textile and clothing industry; and/or
• Contribute to knowledge transfer and science-based teaching material by delivering comprehensive Education and Capacity Development training on the agreed relevant topic that would contribute to the innovation and/or sustainable transformation in the textile and clothing industry;

Experts applying to the Roster are available for consideration whenever relevant opportunities arise and shall go through an expedited recruitment process. Experts applying for the Roster are also invited to apply for other vacancies on our website actively, which are of relevance to their interests. At this point, a detailed and specific description of tasks and duties, along with specific timeline shall be agreed upon with selected candidates.

Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES and the direct supervision of the designated Project Lead, the Senior Expert in Textile Industry (Researcher or Lecturer) will be required to provide support to UNU-FLORES by performing the following tasks:

OPTION A

1. Conduct desk research of the relevant available project documents provided by UNU-FLORES, as well as of standards and best practices pertaining to the Resource Nexus within the textile industry, including the legislative, industrial and educational frameworks, available reports, etc., perform relevant data collection, and submit Research Summary and Article Concept, that should include key findings from the desk research, as well as detailed research proposal outlining the title, topic, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes, as well as the concept of the scientific Article to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
   Preliminary Research Summary and Article Concept of minimum 3 pages in English language, should be submitted by 1 July 2024;
2. Prepare and submit draft scientific Article on the agreed topic, of minimum 5000 words in English language, by 1 September 2024;
   Depending on the scientific article quality and availability of the selected Consultant, there might be an opportunity to attend the project related Textile Symposium in Dhaka (online or in person) and present the initial results;
3. Deliver final version of the scientific Article on the agreed topic, incorporating the feedback received from UNU-FLORES, of minimum 5000 words in English language, and submit to the agreed journal by 30 September 2024; and
4. Intangible Deliverable: Throughout contractual period, provide strategic expert advice and support with quality assurance through project related meetings and consultations, e.g., via online conference contributions, inputs in educational material, feedback on draft reports, co-authoring outputs, identification and preparation of project proposals.

OPTION B

1. Conduct desk research of the relevant available project documents provided by UNU-FLORES, as well as of standards and best practices pertaining to the Resource Nexus within the textile industry, perform relevant data collection with focus on capacity development, curriculum development, education, training, knowledge and experience sharing, and submit Preliminary Research Summary and Education and Capacity Development Concept of minimum 2 pages in English language, by 20 April 2024;
2. Prepare and record interactive Education and Capacity Development e-learning material on the agreed topic, containing engaging exercises, best standards and practices, pre- and post- training evaluations forms, of minimum min. 90 minutes in English language, by 30 April 2024;
3. Deliver interactive online discussion session with Q & A section, in English language, and provide a Reflection Report capturing event details, evaluation and recommendations for further activities, of minimum 3 pages in English language by 30 June 2024; and
4. Intangible Deliverable: Throughout contractual period, provide strategic expert advice and support with quality assurance through project related meetings and consultations, e.g., via online conference contributions, inputs in educational material, feedback on draft reports, co-authoring outputs, identification and preparation of project proposals.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

- Doctoral, masters or equivalent degree related to the integrated management of environmental resources, textile engineering, circular economy, sustainability development or other relevant fields with a strong relation to the textile industry.

2) Required skills and experience

- Minimum five (5) years of postgraduate research experience in an international context (for option A) or minimum five (5) years of experience in education and capacity development in an international context (for option B), with focus on textile industry as a distinct advantage;

- Track record of research publications (for option A) or providing training and capacity development (for option B) in areas related to Resource Nexus within the textile industry;

- Excellent communication and writing skills (with proven success publishing in peer-reviewed journals for option A and proven success in providing training/teaching for option B);

- Strong planning, organization, and time management skills, with a professional and conscientious attitude and the ability to independently prioritise;

- An excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, as demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

3) Language Requirements

- Professional level Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is required.

Duration

The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Remuneration

Payment will be made based on the completion of specified deliverables. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and commensurate with the qualification and experience of the successful candidate.

This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Travel considerations

Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).

Expected start date

Immediate.

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

03 April 2024

Selection process

Individual consultants will be evaluated according to the following process:

Stage 1: Establishing a Roster

• All applicants will be screened against the minimum requirements specified above for inclusion on a long list.
• Long-listed applicants will be evaluated through a desk review and/or interview against the following criteria based on evidence in the submitted application:
  o academic qualifications
  o relevant professional experience
  o demonstrated competencies
• Successful candidates will be included in the UNU-FLORES Experts Roster for a period of 2 years.

Stage 2: Contracting

When a request for services arises, Human Resources will contact relevant individual(s) with the Terms of Reference, location, and dates of the assignment seeking confirmation of availability, as well as other costs such travel costs and subsistence allowance, as appropriate.

Special notice

UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.

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